Top Ten Fictional Characters in YA Novels

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Fictional Characters in YA Books

Thorne & Cress from The Lunar Chronicles

Yes, I'm counting them as one! Thorne was hilarious, Cress was adorable and together they were super cute and did heroic things.

"Cress, do me a favor. Make sure I don't shoot anyone we like."

Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables 

Anne will always be number one for her imagination, wit, and flair for the dramatic.

“My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes.” 

Elisa and Hector from The Girl of Fire and Thorns 

I thought they were both very strong characters, and I loved their development.

“Well, we'll have no more of such foolishness," I say harshly, to cover the wavering in my voice. "We're getting married, and that's that.” 

Seraphina from Seraphina 

She was brave, she was passionate, she was... a bit odd. I just loved her voice!

"I remember being born.

In fact, I remember a time before that. There was no light, but there was music: joints creaking, blood rushing, the heart's staccato lullaby, a rich symphony of indigestion. Sound enfolded me, and I was safe."

Harry from Harry Potter

The Boy Who Lived! Despite his attitude in the fifth book, I finished the series with so much love for Harry. After tagging along with him in his adventures through SEVEN books (and I've read them several times) I've grown to love his character. And that cheek!

“Do you remember me telling you we are practicing non-verbal spells, Potter?"

"Yes," said Harry stiffly.

"Yes, sir."

"There's no need to call me "sir" Professor."

The words had escaped him before he knew what he was saying.” 

Hermione from Harry Potter

Brave and insanely smart. I've always loved that she was a little bit bossy too. And I sympathized with her when she had to deal with Harry and Ron when they were in their moods. Actually, Harry AND Hermione had to deal with that, come to think of it...

“Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have.” 

Tiger Lily from Tiger Lily 

Oh, Tiger Lily. She was just so strong and stoic. She finally opened her heart up, only to have it broken. I just felt for her.

“To love someone was not what she had expected. It was like falling from somewhere high up and breaking in half, and only one person having the secret to the puzzle of putting her back together.” 

Puck Connolly and Sean Kendrick from The Scorpio Races 

They were just so deep and complex and I loved them!

“I say, 'I will not be your weakness, Sean Kendrick.'

Now he looks at me. He says, very softly, 'It's late for that, Puck.” 

Marak from The Hollow Kingdom

Marak cracks me up. Even if he is one of the ugly goblin kings who steals humans to take as brides. Loved him. He gets two quotes.

“Forks are absurd, he scoffed. They insult your food. They make it think you're killing it twice.” 

“Don't fret. We'll just have to find something else you're good at besides killing people.” 

Razo from The Books of Bayern

Razo was so sweet and funny. I was so glad when he had his chance to be heroic!

“Razo hopped back up and adopted a posture that said he was completely unruffled, never had been, and in fact was ready to do something manly like lift boulders or swallow live worms.”

Ella of Frell from Ella Enchanted

Who couldn't love spunky Ella?

“It is helpful to know the proper way to behave, so one can decide whether or not to be proper.” 

Howl from Howl's Moving Castle 

So, this may be closer to MG or children's fiction, but I'm listing him anyway. Howl is so funny, and his oddity quickly endeared him to me.

“Yes, you are nosy. You're a dreadfully nosy, horribly bossy, appallingly clean old woman. Control yourself. You're victimizing us all.” 

Tarver and Lilac from These Broken Stars 

This was a very recent read for me, but I very quickly fell in love with these characters.

“Where will I sit?” 
Sit? Why, on this comfortable chaise longue I’ve carried here for you in my pocket, Your Highness, so glad you asked. 

Shoot, I did 13 again. Today was a freebie, and the characters are generally my favorite aspect of a novel. What are some of your favorite fictional characters? And feel free to leave a link to your own TTT below!